Gov. Ted Strickland has directed state agencies to be more careful with the overtime and report those costs on a Web site four times a year.
Strickland's order follows a computer analysis by The Columbus Dispatch earlier this year that found state worker overtime increased 16 percent in 2007, the first year of Strickland's administration. The newspaper reported that Ohio's tab for OT topped $100 million for the first time.
Spokesman Ron Sylvester with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services says the governor doesn't want the state to find itself explaining another increase in overtime.
The Strickland administration has asked agencies to take steps to hold down overtime costs, such as repositioning staff and adjusting work schedules.
